Central Asia news

President Nursultan Nazarbayev is the head of the Nur Otan party

President Nursultan Nazarbayev is the head of the Nur Otan People's Democratic Party.

"The Constitution permits me to become chairman of our party. This internationally accepted practice will be used in Kazakhstan too," Nazarbayev said at the Nur Otan emergency convention on July 4.

Agenda of the convention includes discussion of the political reforms under way in Kazakhstan and forthcoming elections of the Majilis (lower house of the parliament) and local legislatures. The 11th Convention is also expected to discuss the party platform and compile lists of Nur Otan candidates for the Majilis.

"Being a guarantor of the Constitution, I will do everything to make the forthcoming election free and fair. I do not doubt that our party will get the majority's support in an open and transparent political struggle. We will prove ourselves as the force leading the country to prosperity. I know that the people will only vote for the party whose deeds match its words and that's Nur Otan," Nazarbayev said.

The convention will also discuss the new party program modified in accordance with the strategy of national development and amendments to the Constitution. Party charter will also be discussed and probably amended.

Three hundred and forty delegates attend the conference and over 600 observers including 200 activists of Jas Otan (youth wing of the ruling party) and 200 journalists.